Flight guidance panels with joystick controls

ABSTRACT

A flight guidance panel for an aircraft includes a subpanel display, a joystick, rotary encoders, a deflection sensor, and a processor. The subpanel display indicates autopilot modes and flight value goals and has a top-level state and a subpanel control state. The joystick is for user interaction with the subpanel display. The rotary encoder is coupled with the joystick to receive rotation inputs from a user of the joystick. The deflection sensor is coupled with the joystick to detect a deflection input from the user of the joystick. The processor is programmed to: change a state of the subpanel display to the subpanel control state corresponding to a selected subpanel in response to receiving the deflection input while the subpanel display is in the top-level state; and change the flight value goals in response to receiving the rotation inputs while the subpanel display is in the subpanel control state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims all available benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/883,447 filed Aug. 6, 2019, the entirecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to aircraft flight guidancepanels, and more particularly relates to flight guidance panels withjoystick user input devices for transport category aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Conventional transport category flight guidance panels have collectionsof buttons and knobs that permit the crew to choose and engage autopilotmodes and functions. A typical flight guidance panel has dedicatedsubpanels for lateral, speed, vertical, and altitude autopilotnavigation modes. Each of these dedicated subpanels has at least onededicated knob and button to control the modes and values associatedwith the corresponding guidance. For example, a conventional flightguidance panel may have a dedicated altitude subpanel with a knob toadjust the target altitude value and a button to change modes betweenautopilot and manual control of the altitude of the aircraft.

One requirement of the layout of these conventional flight guidancepanels is visual confirmation that the pilot has selected the correctbutton or knob. For example, if a pilot wishes to change the altitudemode from autopilot to manual control, the pilot must look at the flightguidance panel to be sure the correct button is actuated.

Another requirement of these conventional flight guidance panels is useof the dedicated knobs and buttons to choose and engage the modes andfunctions. If a dedicated knob and/or button malfunctions, then the crewmay not be able to use the modes and functions of the correspondingsubpanel.

These conventional flight guidance panels are also restricted fromremotely locating the dedicated knobs and buttons for easier access bythe crew. For example, the seats in the flight deck typically slidebackward for crew comfort during long trips while the aircraft may be onautopilot in the cruise flight phase. While the seat is back, the flightguidance panel may be unreachable. Accordingly, the crew must leanforward or slide the seat forward to make adjustments to the modes andfunctions. Remotely locating the dedicated buttons and knobs is nottypically feasible because the at least four buttons and four knobsdemand a large physical space to occupy. Such a large physical space istypically not available for placement of the dedicated buttons and knobsin a more accessible location.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide flight guidance panels withimproved controls. Furthermore, other desirable features and parametersof the present invention will become apparent from the subsequentdetailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of theinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various non-limiting embodiments of flight guidance panels and aircraftare disclosed herein.

In a first non-limiting embodiment, a flight guidance panel for anaircraft includes a subpanel display, a joystick, rotary encoders, adeflection sensor, and a processor. The subpanel display indicatesautopilot modes and flight value goals and has a top-level state and asubpanel control state. The joystick is for user interaction with thesubpanel display. The rotary encoder is coupled with the joystick toreceive rotation inputs from a user of the joystick. The deflectionsensor is coupled with the joystick to detect a deflection input fromthe user of the joystick. The processor is programmed to: change a stateof the subpanel display to the subpanel control state corresponding to aselected subpanel in response to receiving the deflection input whilethe subpanel display is in the top-level state; and change the flightvalue goals in response to receiving the rotation inputs while thesubpanel display is in the subpanel control state.

In a second non-limiting embodiment, an aircraft includes a flightguidance panel and a processor. The flight guidance panel includes asubpanel display, a joystick, rotary encoders, and a deflection sensor.The subpanel display indicates autopilot modes and flight value goalsand has a top-level state and a subpanel control state. The joystick isfor user interaction with the subpanel display. The rotary encoder iscoupled with the joystick to receive rotation inputs from a user of thejoystick. The deflection sensor is coupled with the joystick to detect adeflection input from the user of the joystick. The processor isprogrammed to: change a state of the subpanel display to the subpanelcontrol state corresponding to a selected subpanel in response toreceiving the deflection input while the subpanel display is in thetop-level state; and change the flight value goals in response toreceiving the rotation inputs while the subpanel display is in thesubpanel control state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is a simplified view illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of aflight guidance panel in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a joystick of the flight guidancepanel of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure; and

FIGS. 3-7 are simplified views illustrating various states of thedisplays of the flight guidance panel of FIG. 1 in an aircraft inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theorypresented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription.

Flight Guidance Panels (FGPs) described herein generally include ajoystick input device for a pilot and a joystick input device for aco-pilot of an aircraft. Subpanels of the FGP may be selected bydeflection of either joystick while the FGP is in a top-level state ormenu to place the FGP in a subpanel control state associated with theselected subpanel. While the subpanel control state, the joystick may bedeflected to change the autopilot modes, functions, or units displayed.The joystick may additionally be rotated to adjust the flight valuegoals (e.g., altitude, speed, etc.) associated with the selectedsubpanel. The FGP may return to the top-level state in response topressing a return button. The joysticks may be disposed in a housing ofthe FGP and/or may be remotely located (e.g., in an armrest of a seat inthe flight deck). The joystick controls described herein permit a crewmember to perform all FGP functions without removing their hand from thejoystick control. Although the FGP is discussed herein as a component ofan aircraft, the configurations and algorithms described for operationof the FGP may be applicable to other vehicles, such as submarines orautomobiles.

FIG. 1 is schematic view illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of aflight guidance panel (FGP) 100 in accordance with teachings of thepresent disclosure. FGP 100 includes a housing 108, two label displays110, two subpanel displays 112, at least two joysticks 114, a returnbutton 115, and a processor 116. FGP 100 and various components of FGP100 may be in a top-level state or in a subpanel control state, as willbecome apparent below. Label displays 110 and subpanel displays 112 maybe separate physical devices or may be separately defined displayportions of a single physical device screen.

Housing 108 is an electronics enclosure in which components of FGP 100are mounted. For example, label displays 110 and subpanel displays 112are mounted to a front face of housing 108. In the example provided,return buttons 115, processor 116, and one of joysticks 114 are mountedin housing 108. It should be appreciated that return buttons 115,processor 116, and joysticks 114 may be remotely located within a flightdeck of the aircraft in which FGP 100 is installed.

Label display 110 shows what will happen in response to deflection ofjoystick 114. In the top-level state illustrated in FIG. 1 , labeldisplay 110 shows what guidance subpanel will be controlled in responseto the corresponding deflection. It should be appreciated that theguidance controlled by any particular deflection may vary byimplementation. In the example provided, label display 110 is also touchcapable to perform the functions labeled by touching the correspondingdisplay area on label display 110.

In the example provided, deflection of joystick 114 upward while labeldisplay 110 and subpanel display 112 are in the top-level state willchange label display 110 and subpanel display 112 to a vertical guidancesubpanel control state. Deflection of joystick 114 downward while labeldisplay 110 and subpanel display 112 are in the top-level state willchange label display 110 and subpanel display 112 to a lateral guidancesubpanel control state. As used herein, the term “upward” includes aforward deflection when joystick 114 is mounted to a horizontal surface,such as an armrest. Similarly, the term “downward” includes a backwarddeflection toward the user when joystick 114 is mounted to thehorizontal surface.

Also in the example provided, deflection of joystick 114 to the leftwhile label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are in the top-levelstate will change label display 110 and subpanel display 112 to a speedguidance subpanel control state. Deflection of joystick 114 to the rightwhile label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are in the top-levelstate will change label display 110 and subpanel display 112 to analtitude guidance subpanel control state.

When label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are in some subpanelcontrol states, a left deflection and a right deflection of joystick 114will change unit types of the flight value goals for some subpaneltypes. For example, a left deflection of joystick 114 changes units toknots and a right deflection of joystick 114 changes units to Mach whilesubpanel display 112 is in the speed guidance subpanel control state. Aleft deflection of joystick 114 changes units to feet and a rightdeflection of joystick 114 changes units to meters while subpaneldisplay 112 is in the altitude guidance subpanel control state. In someembodiments, different deflection directions control unit types.

While subpanel display 112 is in the subpanel control state an upwarddeflection of the joystick will engage automated control of the aircraftaccording to the flight value goals. A downward deflection of thejoystick while the subpanel display is in the subpanel control statewill disengage automated control for manual control of the aircraftrelative to the flight value goals.

Subpanel display 112 shows a status of all four subpanel types and modeswhile in the top-level state as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Subpanel display112 changes to the corresponding subpanel control state in response todeflection of joystick 114 while subpanel display 112 is in thetop-level state, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 for the speed subpanelcontrol type.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , and with continued reference to FIG. 1 , ajoystick 114 with an integrated return button 115 is illustrated. Aswill be discussed below, return button 115 may be dedicated or may beintegrated with joystick 114. Joystick 114 includes a first rotatablecomponent 200, a second rotatable component 202, a first rotary encoder204, a second rotary encoder 206, a deflection sensor 208, andintegrated return button 115.

First rotatable component 200 and second rotatable component 202 areindependently rotatable to increase or decrease the flight value goalsby different increments. For example, rotation of first rotatablecomponent 200 may increase or decrease flight value goals by 10 perdetected rotation interval, whereas rotation of second rotatablecomponent 202 may increase or decrease flight value goals by 100 perdetected rotation interval. The increments vary by implementation andsubpanel type.

First rotary encoder 204 is operatively coupled with first rotatablecomponent 200 and second rotary encoder 206 is operatively coupled withsecond rotatable component 202. For example, first rotary encoder 204may be coupled to an outer shaft 205 that is rotatably fixed to secondrotatable component 202. Second rotary encoder 206 may be coupled to aninner shaft (not illustrated) that is rotatably fixed to first rotatablecomponent 200.

Rotary encoders 204 and 206 detect rotation of rotatable components 200and 202 and send signals indicating the rotation to processor 116.Rotation of first rotational component 200 rotates the inner shaftcoupled to first rotary encoder 204. First rotary encoder 204 sends asignal indicating the rotation inputs to processor 116. Similarly,rotation of second rotational component 202 rotates outer shaft 205coupled to second rotary encoder 206. Second rotary encoder 206 sends asignal indicating the rotation inputs to processor 116. Processor 116changes the flight value goals in response to receiving the rotationinputs while the subpanel display is in the subpanel control state.

In some embodiments, only one rotatable component is utilized. Processor116 may be further programmed to change the flight value goals inincrements that are based on a speed of rotation of the rotatablecomponents in addition to or as a replacement for the separateincrement-based adjustments.

In the example provided, a first joystick 114 and a dedicated returnbutton 115 are mounted in housing 108 on a pilot side 120 of FGP 100closest to a pilot seat when installed in an aircraft. A second joystick114 and integrated return button 115 are mounted in housing 108 on aco-pilot side 122 of FGP 100 closest to a co-pilot seat when installedin the aircraft. A third joystick 114 and integrated return button 115are remotely located in an armrest of a pilot seat in the aircraft.Joystick 114 is sized to be gripped by the index finger, middle finger,and or thumb of a crew member for deflection and rotation. Joystick 114may also be deflected using a thumb of the user. As used herein, theterm “joystick” specifically excludes devices designed to be grasped bya hand with a palm in contact with the device.

In some embodiments, different numbers of joysticks 114 in differentlocation combinations are implemented. For example, some embodimentshave two joysticks 114 and two dedicated return buttons 115 located inhousing 108 with no remotely located joystick 114. Some embodiments havetwo remotely located joysticks 114 with integrated or dedicated returnbuttons 115 and no joysticks 114 disposed within housing 108. Someembodiments have two joysticks 114 with dedicated or integrated returnbuttons 115 disposed in housing 108 and two joysticks 114 with dedicatedor integrated return buttons 115 remotely located.

Deflection sensor 208 is coupled with joystick 114 to detect adeflection input from a user of the joystick. For example, shaft 205 maypivot at a panel side of joystick 114 near housing 108 when a userapplies forces within the plane of FIG. 1 on rotatable components 200and/or 202. Deflection sensor 208 detects at least four separatedirections of deflection.

Return button 115 is used to change the state of subpanel display 112and label display 110 to the top-level state in response to receivingthe return input while subpanel display 112 and label display 110 are inthe subpanel control state. Where return button 115 is integrated withjoystick 114, return button may be actuated by pressing joystick 114toward housing 108 along the longitudinal axis of joystick 114. Wherereturn button 115 is separate from joystick 114, return button 115 andis disposed adjacent to joystick 114 for actuation by a thumb of theuser gripping the joystick with fingertips.

Processor 116 or controller 116 is a hardware device that carries outinstructions of a computer program to perform the functions of FGP 100.Processor 116 is a specific purpose computer configured to execute thecomputer program to provide the functions described herein. Processor116 includes one or more memory units that store electronic data andcomputer programs. For example, the memory units may be flash memory,spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM), magnetic memory,phase-change memory (PCM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or othersuitable electronic storage media. In the example provided, the memoryunits store control logic with instructions that cooperate withinstruction processing hardware to perform operations of the methoddescribed below. In some embodiments, the processor may include one ormore central processing units (“CPUs”), a microprocessor, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a microcontroller, FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), and/or other suitable device.Furthermore, processor 116 may utilize multiple hardware devices as isalso appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Processor 116 is configured to provide the functions associated with aflight guidance panel in addition to the specific features describedbelow. In general, processor 116 coordinates inputs from joystick 114and return button 115 to provide the functions of a flight guidancepanel.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7 , and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-2 ,an example of navigating states of FGP 100 and using joystick 114 isillustrated. The top-level state is illustrated in FIG. 1 on subpaneldisplay 112 and label display 110. In response to deflection of joystick114 downward from the state of FIG. 1 , processor 116 transitions labeldisplay 110 and subpanel display 112 into state 300 illustrated in FIG.3 .

State 300 depicts the speed subpanel control state. The modes,functions, and flight goal values for the speed subpanel are now readyto be manipulated. In the example provided, autopilot speed control iscurrently engaged at 250 knots.

In response to a downward deflection of joystick 114, processor 116transitions FGP 100 from state 300 to state 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 .In state 400, label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are still inthe speed subpanel control state, but processor 116 has disengagedautopilot speed control in response to the downward deflection ofjoystick 114. Accordingly, the aircraft is under manual speed control.

In response to a rightward deflection of joystick 114, processor 116transitions FGP 100 from state 400 to state 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 .In state 500, label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are still inthe speed subpanel control state. The rightward deflection changes thedisplayed speed units from knots to Mach. Accordingly, the speed valuedisplayed in subpanel display 112 is now in units of Mach.

In response to an up and left deflection of joystick 114, processor 116transitions FGP 100 from state 500 to state 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 .In state 600, label display 110 and subpanel display 112 are still inthe speed subpanel control state. In the example provided, a singledeflection of joystick 114 registers both the upward and the leftwarddeflection. In some embodiments, individual precise deflections may berequired. The upward deflection engages autopilot speed control and theleftward deflection changes the displayed speed units from Mach toknots.

In response to pressing in on joystick 114, integrated return button 115sends a signal to processor 116. Processor 116 transitions FGP 100 fromstate 600 to state 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 . State 700 is similar tothe initial state illustrated in FIG. 1 , where label display 110 andsubpanel display 112 are in the top-level state. Accordingly, speedcontrols are not manipulated by deflections or rotations of joystick 114unless the speed control subpanel is again entered by a leftwarddeflection from state 700. Similarly, the vertical, altitude, andlateral control subpanels may now be entered by upward, rightwards, anddownward deflections, respectively, of joystick 114.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description of the invention, it should beappreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also beappreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments areonly examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoingdetailed description will provide those skilled in the art with aconvenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. It being understood that various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flight guidance panel for an aircraft, theflight guidance panel comprising: a subpanel display for indicatingautopilot modes and flight value goals, the subpanel display having atop-level state and a subpanel control state; a joystick for userinteraction with the subpanel display; at least one rotary encodercoupled with the joystick to receive rotation inputs from a user of thejoystick; a deflection sensor coupled with the joystick to detect adeflection input from the user of the joystick; and a processorprogrammed to: change a state of the subpanel display to the subpanelcontrol state corresponding to a selected subpanel in response toreceiving the deflection input while the subpanel display is in thetop-level state; and change the flight value goals in response toreceiving the rotation inputs while the subpanel display is in thesubpanel control state.
 2. The flight guidance panel of claim 1, furthercomprising a return button for inputting a return input, and wherein theprocessor is further programmed to change the state of the subpaneldisplay to the top-level state in response to receiving the return inputwhile the subpanel display is in the subpanel control state.
 3. Theflight guidance panel of claim 2, wherein the return button is coupledwith the joystick and actuated by pressing the joystick along alongitudinal axis of the joystick.
 4. The flight guidance panel of claim2, wherein the return button is separate from the joystick and isdisposed adjacent to the joystick for actuation by a thumb of the usergripping the joystick with fingertips.
 5. The flight guidance panel ofclaim 1, wherein the joystick includes at least two independentlyrotatable components, and wherein the processor is further programmed tochange the flight value goals by a first increment in response torotation of a first of the at least two independently rotatablecomponents and to change the flight value goals by a second increment inresponse to rotation of a second of the at least two independentlyrotatable components.
 6. The flight guidance panel of claim 1, whereinthe processor is further programmed to change the flight value goals inincrements that are based on a speed of rotation of the joystick.
 7. Theflight guidance panel of claim 1, further comprising: a housing in whichthe subpanel display is mounted; a second subpanel display mounted inthe housing; and a second joystick for user interaction with the secondsubpanel display.
 8. The flight guidance panel of claim 7, wherein thejoystick is mounted in the housing on a pilot side of the flightguidance panel, and wherein the second joystick is mounted in thehousing on a co-pilot side of the flight guidance panel.
 9. The flightguidance panel of claim 7, wherein the joystick and the second joystickare remotely located separate from the housing.
 10. The flight guidancepanel of claim 9, wherein the joystick is configured to be mounted in anarmrest of a pilot seat and the second joystick is configured to bemounted in an armrest of a co-pilot seat in a flight deck of theaircraft.
 11. The flight guidance panel of claim 1, wherein the joystickis configured to be actuated by fingers of the user.
 12. The flightguidance panel of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmedto: change the subpanel display to a vertical guidance subpanel controlstate in response to deflection of the joystick upward while thesubpanel display is in the top-level state; and change the subpaneldisplay to a lateral guidance subpanel control state in response todeflection of the joystick downward while the subpanel display is in thetop-level state.
 13. The flight guidance panel of claim 12, wherein theprocessor is further programmed to: change the subpanel display to aspeed guidance subpanel control state in response to deflection of thejoystick to the left while the subpanel display is in the top-levelstate; and change the subpanel display to an altitude guidance subpanelcontrol state in response to deflection of the joystick to the rightwhile the subpanel display is in the top-level state.
 14. The flightguidance panel of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmedto: engage automated control of the aircraft according to the flightvalue goals in response to an upward deflection of the joystick whilethe subpanel display is in the subpanel control state; and disengageautomated control for manual control of the aircraft relative to theflight value goals in response to a downward deflection of the joystickwhile the subpanel display is in the subpanel control state.
 15. Anaircraft, comprising: a flight guidance panel comprising: a subpaneldisplay for indicating autopilot modes and flight value goals, thesubpanel display having a top-level state and a subpanel control state;a joystick for user interaction with the subpanel display; at least onerotary encoder coupled with the joystick to receive rotation inputs froma user of the joystick; and a deflection sensor coupled with thejoystick to detect a deflection input from the user of the joystick; anda processor programmed to: change a state of the subpanel display to thesubpanel control state corresponding to a selected subpanel in responseto receiving the deflection input while the subpanel display is in thetop-level state; and change the flight value goals in response toreceiving the rotation inputs while the subpanel display is in thesubpanel control state.
 16. The aircraft of claim 15, further comprisinga pilot seat having an armrest, wherein the joystick is disposed in thearmrest of the pilot seat.
 17. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein theflight guidance panel further includes a return button for inputting areturn input, and wherein the processor is further programmed to changethe state of the subpanel display to the top-level state in response toreceiving the return input while the subpanel display is in the subpanelcontrol state.
 18. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein the return buttonis coupled with the joystick and actuated by pressing the joystick alonga longitudinal axis of the joystick.
 19. The aircraft of claim 1,wherein the joystick includes at least two independently rotatablecomponents, and wherein the processor is further programmed to changethe flight value goals by a first increment in response to rotation of afirst of the at least two independently rotatable components and tochange the flight value goals by a second increment in response torotation of a second of the at least two independently rotatablecomponents.
 20. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther programmed to: change the subpanel display to a verticalguidance subpanel control state in response to deflection of thejoystick upward while the subpanel display is in the top-level state;change the subpanel display to a lateral guidance subpanel control statein response to deflection of the joystick downward while the subpaneldisplay is in the top-level state; change the subpanel display to aspeed guidance subpanel control state in response to deflection of thejoystick to the left while the subpanel display is in the top-levelstate; change the subpanel display to an altitude guidance subpanelcontrol state in response to deflection of the joystick to the rightwhile the subpanel display is in the top-level state; engage automatedcontrol of the aircraft according to the flight value goals in responseto an upward deflection of the joystick while the subpanel display is inthe subpanel control state; and disengage automated control for manualcontrol of the aircraft relative to the flight value goals in responseto a downward deflection of the joystick while the subpanel display isin the subpanel control state.